desertbriar
New Member
Posts: 20
First Name: Eric
Favorite Pipe: The one I'm Smoking
Favorite Tobacco: Old Joe Krantz
Location:
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Post by desertbriar on Nov 10, 2020 12:33:24 GMT -5
New guy here with a new guy question.
I have been smoking a pipe since July. Quit Copenhagen after 22 years and don't regret it. The first few months were great. I quickly turned into a 3-4 bowl a day pipesmoker. Went through the aromatics to the English blends then Virginias. Quickly came to realize Burley is where it's at. Recently I have settled on a small rotation of Peterson MM965, EMP, Rattray's Stirling Flake and Old Joe Krantz. Prior to this selection I was trying a little bit of everything. I kept hearing about this Tongue Bite phenomenon but just couldn't seem to experience it. Then, about three weeks ago I tried a bowl of C@D's Haunted Bookshop and was severely bitten. Not just the tongue but my whole mouth was singed. I didn't smoke for several days and when I finally came back to the pipe it was touch and go for another 2 weeks. Rinsing with Biotene and slow smoking sessions have helped.
Now, 3 weeks later, I am back to a couple bowls a day after deciding to just "smoke through it". But still nursing the irritated tongue. Someone here mentioned that this is just a right of passage for a new pipesmoker. If that is the case I shall embrace the challenge and trudge forward to victory. I enjoy this way too much to give it up.
So... as a group, what have been your experiences with this situation?
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Post by kxg on Nov 10, 2020 12:50:37 GMT -5
I've experienced "normal" tongue bite, the kind from over smoking several bowls in a row. And, some VaPer blends tend to bite my tongue if I'm not careful with my cadence. The bad part about that is I really like the VaPer's! I've never experienced the whole mouth bite, which sounds like an allergic reaction to something in that particular blend. I've smoked several bowls of Haunted Bookshop with no ill effect, for whatever that is worth.
My best advice is give it time and get rid of the Haunted Bookshop! Good luck. And, welcome to the forum!
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Post by taiguy66 on Nov 10, 2020 13:06:59 GMT -5
As a cigar smoker turned piper, I understand your comment about tongue bite. As a newbie myself, old habits from cigar smoking bled into my pipe: I’m smoking faster then I should rather then going “low and slow.” For me, if you continue at a slower pace, like sipping a fine single malt, you’ll enjoy it more while reducing the dreaded tongue bite. Also, as a final resort, I understand using a filter (yes I know... it’s blasphemy for some folks) can also help to mitigate.
Welcome to the forum and enjoy your journey!
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Post by sparks on Nov 10, 2020 13:20:55 GMT -5
Strange for sure considering HB and OJK are very similar in their composition. Personally I would try another bowl of HB, just to see if it was a one-off event. Sometimes just your mouth PH that day can do it. Otherwise, stick with what works. You seem to have a good little rotation going.
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Post by mrlunting on Nov 10, 2020 13:39:41 GMT -5
As a cigar smoker turned piper, I understand your comment about tongue bite. As a newbie myself, old habits from cigar smoking bled into my pipe: I’m smoking faster then I should rather then going “low and slow.” For me, if you continue at a slower pace, like sipping a fine single malt, you’ll enjoy it more while reducing the dreaded tongue bite. Also, as a final resort, I understand using a filter (yes I know... it’s blasphemy for some folks) can also help to mitigate. Welcome to the forum and enjoy your journey! This pretty much hits on the nose I think. "Low and slow". Also to mention Mottenchop piper on YouTube has several great and informative videos. He certainly helped me a lot. |
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desertbriar
New Member
Posts: 20
First Name: Eric
Favorite Pipe: The one I'm Smoking
Favorite Tobacco: Old Joe Krantz
Location:
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Post by desertbriar on Nov 10, 2020 14:18:47 GMT -5
Strange for sure considering HB and OJK are very similar in their composition. Personally I would try another bowl of HB, just to see if it was a one-off event. Sometimes just your mouth PH that day can do it. Otherwise, stick with what works. You seem to have a good little rotation going. Yes, I thought the same thing. But upon further investigation of C@D's descriptions.... OJK is dark and cube cut burley, red virginia, perique. HBS is light/dark burley Virginias, perique. I am now wondering if it's the light burley that is my problem with the blend. With my liking of OJK I figured I couldn't go wrong with HBS and bought 8oz of the stuff. Might just let it age for 6 months and try again. cautiously of course. |
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Post by Gandalf on Nov 10, 2020 14:20:52 GMT -5
Strange for sure considering HB and OJK are very similar in their composition. Personally I would try another bowl of HB, just to see if it was a one-off event. Sometimes just your mouth PH that day can do it. Otherwise, stick with what works. You seem to have a good little rotation going. I'm a new smoker too - and I've experienced tongue bite off and on. Sometimes with a blend that hasn't bitten me before. In fact, there seems to be no rhythm or reason to it much of the time and I've wandered if it wasn't something like mouth pH that day. |
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Post by Gandalf on Nov 10, 2020 14:22:02 GMT -5
And welcome to the Patch from central Illinois.
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Post by mgtarheel on Nov 10, 2020 14:24:05 GMT -5
Welcome from "The Tarheel State". As to your problem your chemistry and Haunted Bookshop might not go together at this time. Put it away for awhile and try smoking it at a later date.
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briarbuck
Full Member
Leave the gun...take the cannoli.
Posts: 852
Favorite Pipe: The next one
Favorite Tobacco: Dunbar, 40th, PSBEF
Location:
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Post by briarbuck on Nov 10, 2020 14:25:51 GMT -5
Congrats on dumping the dip. Best decision my gums ever made.
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desertbriar
New Member
Posts: 20
First Name: Eric
Favorite Pipe: The one I'm Smoking
Favorite Tobacco: Old Joe Krantz
Location:
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Post by desertbriar on Nov 10, 2020 14:26:11 GMT -5
Strange for sure considering HB and OJK are very similar in their composition. Personally I would try another bowl of HB, just to see if it was a one-off event. Sometimes just your mouth PH that day can do it. Otherwise, stick with what works. You seem to have a good little rotation going. I'm a new smoker too - and I've experienced tongue off and on. Sometimes with a blend that hasn't bitten me before. In fact, there seems to be no rhythm or reason to it much of the time and I've wandered if it wasn't something like mouth pH that day. Us new guys just need to learn to hold our mouths right I quess. Lets not let it slow us down too much. There is a lot of leaf out there that we still need to try. I have my eye on L.J Peretti No.8 Slice at the moment. My right index finger is twitching and moving towards the "place in your cart" button. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Nov 10, 2020 15:18:14 GMT -5
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 10, 2020 15:29:21 GMT -5
I've never had a serious tongue bite experience. All I had at the start was a feeling like I burnt my tongue on hot tea. 2 days later it was grand again.
My 2c is wait until you've healed and then try again with a different tobacco at a slow pace. When you find your rhythm, revisit HB.
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Post by username on Nov 10, 2020 22:48:18 GMT -5
Suprised no one has suggested letting the tobacco dry a bit. Less moisture might mitigate bite. Of course if it’s ph issue it wouldn’t but it’s worth a shot.
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Post by sperrytops on Nov 11, 2020 14:18:23 GMT -5
Tongue bite is a function of combination of bowl size, how tightly you pack the tobacco, how dry the tobacco might be and then type of tobacco. You have to experiment a bit to get the right combos for yourself. Dry tobacco tightly packed in a big bowl is always a non starter. Gets you puffing too hard and turns the pipe into a furnace.
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Post by sperrytops on Nov 11, 2020 14:19:03 GMT -5
And welcome to the Patch.
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Post by Ronv69 on Nov 11, 2020 23:31:52 GMT -5
Tongue bite is a function of combination of bowl size, how tightly you pack the tobacco, how dry the tobacco might be and then type of tobacco. You have to experiment a bit to get the right combos for yourself. Dry tobacco tightly packed in a big bowl is always a non starter. Gets you puffing too hard and turns the pipe into a furnace. This is true. I used to get tongue bite all the time when I first started smoking a pipe because I was packing it too tight and creating too much suction. It opened up my pores in my tongue and the smoke did the rest. |
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jay
Junior Member
Edward's Pipes....only Edward's pipes....and Buccaneer in the bowl
Posts: 442 
First Name: Jay
Favorite Pipe: Edwards handmade
Favorite Tobacco: Buccaneer, Special Balkan, Scottish Moor
Location:
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Post by jay on Nov 12, 2020 0:24:43 GMT -5
I've noticed that if the taste of the tobacco is too light, there is a tendency to puff more or faster in order to get more taste. Obviously this increases heat, which increases the chance of tongue bite. Too much moisture can also contribute to this, as others have noted. A slightly longer stem, heavier tobacco, and drier tobacco can all help reduce the heat. Also, for some of us, drinking alcohol while smoking causes increased dryness in the mouth. Take your time, smoke slowly and gently, and give things a chance to heal.
And welcome from the Pacific Northwest.
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Post by bonanzadriver on Nov 12, 2020 15:38:56 GMT -5
Although I do occasionally get tongue bite, usually after having smoked 6 or more cigars and several bowls in a briar.
Almost always though it's a ph thing. For me it's most aro's and definitely most virginias.
That being said, I have no issues with VaPers.
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desertbriar
New Member
Posts: 20
First Name: Eric
Favorite Pipe: The one I'm Smoking
Favorite Tobacco: Old Joe Krantz
Location:
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Post by desertbriar on Nov 13, 2020 12:45:29 GMT -5
Thanks to you all for the good advice.
Lately I have been meticulous about my cadence while smoking. That has helped greatly. Also, i bring a beverage along with the pipe. Interestingly, dr pepper is a surprising compliment to old joe krantz. The acidity seems to completely even out the PH. All of my tobacco is on the dry side. Learned that lesson early on.
I am healing up nicely and am now enjoying 2-3 bowls a day. Live and learn!
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